Anderson Regional Cancer Center

Welcome to the only comprehensive cancer center in our area featuring top physicians, compassionate support staff and world-class care that you can receive right here, at home. Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-changing event. While there have been many advances in the treatment of many types of cancer and cure rates are higher, it is difficult not to feel anxious and afraid about what the future holds. The good news is that cancer treatments have come a long way, and Anderson Regional Cancer Center provides world class care close to home.

Anderson Regional Cancer Center

Welcome

At Anderson Regional Cancer Center, we utilize the most innovative therapies available. Our dedicated and expert care professionals are at the forefront of their fields, and they are eager to treat each patient with a personal and compassionate approach.

Our approach for your care is:

Personal. You are more than just your cancer diagnosis. We do more than just treat cancer: we provide “whole person” care — addressing all the medical, emotional and spiritual needs that are unique to you.

Collaborative. Taking into account your varied needs, our renowned cancer experts bring together a team of specialists in a wide range of disciplines to work with you. We also provide you and your family with a support network that includes specially trained nurses, educators, fellow patients and cancer survivors.

World-Class. Our physicians are experienced in the most advanced treatment methods and technologies and are at the forefront of developing new therapies.

Accreditation

Anderson Regional Cancer Center has been granted Accreditation with Commendation by The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS).

The Accreditation Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain accreditation, facilities with CoC-accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer programs ensures that a patient will have access to:

Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment

A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options

Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

Access to cancer-related information, education, and support

A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up

Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care

And most importantly,

Quality care close to home.

Letter From our Chairman

Anderson Regional Cancer Center continues to provide the best available treatment for the patients of East Mississippi and West Alabama. Our strong team of professionals works closely together, drawing on an extensive range of medical, emotional and spiritual resources to help you and your family. Please take a moment to review this site and remember that you can receive excellent care close to home.

Matthew W. Cassell, MD
Chairman, Oncology Care Committee

History

Cancer treatment in East Mississippi began in 1974 and continues to evolve as treatment advancements are discovered.

2015- The nation’s most advanced radiation therapy treatment (Tomotherapy) became available at Anderson Regional Cancer Center.

2016- Dr. John Clay retired, and the second floor of Anderson Regional Cancer Center was named in his honor: John C. Clay M.D. Medical Oncology Floor.

We’re Here for You

Handprints of Hope — More than 60 handprints representing 450+ years of survivorship were made by actual survivors in our area as a symbol of encouragement and hope for all entering Anderson Regional Cancer Center.

At Anderson Regional Cancer Center, we know and understand the impact that major surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy treatments can have on a cancer patient's physical, emotional and spiritual strength.
That’s why we offer many different resources to our patients.

If you are a cancer patient who has questions about treatment, needs a hat, a wig, prosthesis or has other needs,
The American Cancer Society Resource Center can help. The center is located on the 1st floor of Anderson Regional Cancer Center, and it is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our Patient Navigatorensures continuity of care for breast cancer patients and is available to answer questions for new and existing patients in radiation and medical oncology. The navigator meets with patients soon after diagnosis and provides streamlined access to a range of local support services to help patients and their families deal with the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impact of a cancer diagnosis. Careful attention to each patient’s personal needs — and those of his or her family — is our patient navigator’s specialty. Patients may contact our Patient Navigator by calling 601-485-5081.

Our Registered Dietitian is available to develop individualized nutrition strategies to make meal time a pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable time while incorporating high calorie, high protein dietary selections. We strongly encourage family members to participate in the patient's nutrition counseling.

Our Master’s level Social Worker provides educational programs, information resources, counseling and a host of other services that can help cancer patients and their families learn to adapt to the changes in their lives. It is important that our patients be aware of community resources, receive financial counseling when needed, and have access to home care planning. Our social worker deals exclusively with cancer patients and their families to help each find the strength to face the challenges cancer can bring.

Pastoral Care is provided to help individuals strengthen their own spirituality and deepen their faith. The Pastoral Care staff may not cure your illness, but they can help to heal the hurts of your heart. Our pastoral care representative comes as a friend during a difficult time of life and can contribute to your overall well-being and recovery.

Patient Information

At Anderson Regional Cancer Center, we make every effort to help you each step of the way during your treatment and beyond.

New patients are asked to bring the following items on your initial visit:

Insurance card(s)

Social security card

List of all your current medications

Information about prior radiation therapy at another facility, along with any recent blood work, CT scans, etc.

After you have completed your paperwork, you will be issued your own, personal ID card. This card allows you to easily check-in when you return for your radiation therapy treatments. Simply scanning the card at our convenient check-in station alerts our staff that you are on the premises and ready for your appointment.

Oncology Registry

The good news is that cancer treatments have come a long way, and Anderson Regional Cancer Center provides world class care close to home. Because cancer has such a profound effect on our society, an information collection system known as the Oncology Registry was devised to identify the characteristics of cancer patients. A Cancer Registrar at Anderson follows each patient’s progress during and after treatment, although you may never meet them. The registrars are specially trained in current cancer care trends, data collection and evaluation, and basic statistics.